I’ll try to not use the always-loved phrase “patina” on this one too often but it’s almost impossible to overlook that cool surface rust. I mean, patina. This 1975 Dodge Royal Monaco wagon is loaded with character and the seller has it listed here on eBay in Knoxville, Tennessee. The seller has a buy-it-now price of $5,000 listed and although there is no “or make offer” button showing, I’m sure they’re getting offers on this one.
Yes, I like my vehicles to be in perfect condition and shiny, but there’s something unique about a crazy, crazed finish like this that draws my eye. The seller painted the wheels (we used to call them rims, but what do I know) to match the original paint color and I love the hub caps, as we used to call those small wheel covers. It also has newer tires, which we used to call newer tires… By the way, yes, the headlight doors operate properly.
This is a third-generation Dodge Monaco and it couldn’t have come out at a worse time in US history, or at least a worse time for gas prices and gas availability. They were made for model years 1974 through 1976 in this full-sized C-platform. In the model year 1977, Dodge added a one-year-only Royal Monaco model in this giant C-body platform as the next-generation Monacos moved to the mid-sized B-platform, also in 1977.
That was a little confusing, no? I hope that made sense. Dodge offered the regular Monaco, Royal Monaco, and Royal Monaco Brougham wagons with the Brougham having woodgrain. The seller says that this car doesn’t have much rust other than the visible surface rust and also some along the bottoms of the quarter panels.
The interior looks like it needs more work than the exterior does, but the seats are easy to have replicated and the carpet can be changed. SMS has replacement vinyl available and also carpets. If there’s no rust on the floors I’d always want to add some Dynamat for sound control first. At over 19-feet long, these are not tiny cars and there’s a lot of room inside either for passengers – seven passengers in this case – or for hauling a lot of stuff in the back with the back seats folded down. I like the spare tire recess in the right rear portion of the cargo area.
The engine is Dodge’s 400 cubic-inch V8 which had 175 horsepower with a two-barrel carburetor, which is what this one has according to the VIN. The seller says that it has had a recent tune-up and has all new front disc brake hardware and lines. It needs carb work or a new carb, or EFI (hey, just a suggestion) in order to be used as a daily driver, but this is one cool looking wagon, in my opinion. Any thoughts on this big wagon?
I’m generally not a fan of patina, but it’s okay with me if it is on an old truck, isn’t fake, and doesn’t have clearcoat over it. So for this specimen, fresh paint would be great. I don’t know much about these big Dodge wagons, other than they are rarely seen. I’m not sure a restoration is likely to be in the cards, but it is cool nonetheless.
I like your thinking on patina, Bob. You may have swayed me over on that debate or at least knocked me back to reality by grouping those three things together. That totally makes sense. Unless this one ends up as a sleeper with a 750-hp Hemi in it, it deserves to be painted.
All that’s missing is the “Surrender Stick” attached to the A pillar. Oh, Dodge wagon, you were once so proud. Airplanes were still falling out of the sky, a big wagon, like this, was your only hope of going any great distance. Wagons like this, fit the bill. Well, 4 door pickups became all the rage, and go by any new car dealer, a car of any kind is hard to find, but if the resurgence of history to modern times has taught me anything, you’ll see, “All new for 2025, the spacious 9 passenger station wagon,,,from Fiat,,,,
Two words: Demo Derby.
which is where many of these ended up…along with full-sized Ford and GM wagons.
I am not sure the $5,000 buy it now is reasonable, but it seems more reasonable than some prices lately lol.
Redo the seats, a bit of paint, this could be a cool car you just don’t see any more.
I remember seeing this generation in sedan and coupe form. I can’t recall seeing station wagons back in the day.
Probably because they seemed to blend into
the background back then.
My family had a 1977 Dodge Royal Monaco Brougham coupe with a 360 V8 and a 4 barrel carb.
I was a cool car and could move.
The old man bought a 2door Monaco of this vintage back in 92 or 93. It had those embroideried paisley seats common of the era, a tilt/telescoping wheel, and other doodads that he just loved. He nicknamed it “Fast Car,” after the Tracy Chapman song.
That thing ran like a striped-ass ape. Unfortunately he gave it to my sister, who ran it into the ground. Man that was some car.
All that room in the back provided out stretching out space at the drive-in.
That was the story, but in reality, more like 10 sheets of drywall,,,
We used to call these rusty neglicted junk…
I worked as a teen for our local newspaper. Owner had me load up his Monaco Brougham with newspapers. That wagon was loaded including an optional factory cassette player on the front hump. I think it even had the 440. We could stuff it full and also pull an enclosed trailer without it missing a beat. Didn’t pass many gas stations though. Always loved concealed headlamps.
This thing was built when they knew how to build cars with the seats down you can slide a 4X8 sheet of plywood in and shut the gate so for hitting the hardware store and keeping things dry when you don’t have a truck this is the way to go. And as a added bonus it looks like it doesn’t have insurance on it so when you turn your signal on the person in the BMW behind you is more likely to back off – well at least for me anyway because 5 flashes and I start moving
Excellent deal for a long roof fan.Cheap and easy restoration to stand out compared to all of the ultra pricey,sought after, restored trucks .
No one calls them “small wheel covers”. They are “poverty caps” or “dog-dish hubcaps”.
Its odd that a Royal Monaco would even have dog dish caps ; these cars weren’t cheap, and full covers would be the norm.
You are right. Usually full wheel covers or aluminum wheels.
This one’s been around for a while. Price is kind of optimistic…Tennessee tax! However, at a bargain price, the derby crowd would be lined up to turn into another wadded up pile of scrap.
Cool wagon and it does deserve some TLC. It’d be a true labor of love. Somebody get the right dogfish hubcaps while they’re at it.
After the fuselage era, these were almost a let down and too GM like. But for the awkward era of design and regulation, they still have a that Mopar panache.
If I was looking for a C body Mopar wagon to bring up a few levels, I’d probably look no further than this one. Great color, better body style, better condition, better price too.
https://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/cto/d/auburn-1971-dodge-monaco-station-wagon/7418599858.html
I learned to drive in a big wagon similar to this. If I had it, I would rattle can the patina with a close matched color, bolt down an aerodynamic carrier to the roof rack, and add a mattress w/ sheets and pillows to the folded down seats and use it as a camper of sorts
I sold these brand new… If you got 6 mpg… you were in Heaven… what a gas hog they were.. you could actually see the gas guage dropping… LOL
Been a long time since I drove a car this big. Probably my fathers 77 Newport.
I sometimes wonder how you would be able to get around in a car like this. Is it my imagination or do streets and parking lots seem smaller these days?
I do love a wagon but this one is a lost cause.
Way to much water intrusion, just look at that 3rd row seat pick and the red hole the seat came out of. Eeek.
Even at $500 you’d be even more underwater then this wagon.
The seller admits to never driving it, so probably bought it to flip. He probably paid $2,500 or less, which is what it is worth.
I love it. Saw it on FB when it was there. Couldnt commit though. Itd be a neat old cruiser though.